Jim Zwetzig is the new chairman of the Board of Morgan County Commissioners, with Brian McCracken as chairman pro tem.

Their elections were unanimous as the board did its annual reorganization meeting on Tuesday.

The board also chose the Brush News-Tribune as the county's official newspaper for the publication of materials such as delinquent taxes and public notices. However, The Fort Morgan Times was chosen as the newspaper for time sensitive materials.

Board members also approved a lengthy list of appointments of county directors and to county boards such as the Morgan County Planning Commission, the Morgan County Board of Adjustments, the Morgan County Building Authority, the Family Preservation Program Commission, the Child Protection Team, the Adult Protection Team, the Lodging and Tourism Panel, the Morgan County Extension Advisory Board, the Morgan County Fairboard, the Morgan County Board of Equalization Arbitrators, the Fort Morgan Pest Control and the Wiggins Pest Control District.

The board set the hours for county offices as 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., which is the same as last year, but allowed for exceptions for individual offices.

Susan Bailey was reappointed as the county administrative assistant.

Michelle Covelli was reappointed as the county finance director.

Notices of board meetings will remain outside of the Morgan County Planning and Zoning Department office in the basement of the county administrative building.

Fee changes

The Morgan County fee schedule was approved with only a few changes, Bailey told the board.

Although the fees for use of the Morgan County Fairgrounds are the same this year, there will be changes in 2015, she noted.

The events center rental fee for a non-alcohol event will go from $600 for a weekend to $750 for a weekend starting next year. Use for a single day will go from $275 to $325. Use of the indoor arena will go from $40 per session to $50, with additional costs for use of its kitchen, heating or air conditioning also rising. Use of the outdoor arena will go from $60 for a day to $200 for a day, with extra costs for things like the use of lights, concessions booths, the public address system, dumpsters, portable bleachers and cattle panels.

Fees for events with alcohol will be determined by the board of commissioners.

Those using the fairgrounds will also have to use a specific security company for their events, said Morgan County Commissioner Laura Teague. That will ensure more consistent security.

The state user fee for disposal at the Morgan County Landfill went up by 7 cents to $1 per ton and 30 cents per cubic yard.

Ethics

The new Morgan County Government personnel policy was revised to include an individual and collective code of ethics, said Human Resources Director Becky Snyder.

"Ethical standards by public officials is central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in government," the code says.

This code was created for local elected officials, but the same principles apply to appointed officials and county employees.

The code includes provisions that officials should:

— Properly administer the affairs of the county.

— Promote decisions which benefit the public interest.

— Actively promote public confidence in the county government.

— Keep the funds and properties of the county safe.

— Conduct and perform the duties of offices diligently and promptly dispose of county business.

— Maintain a positive image to pass constant public scrutiny.

— Make sure the best services and products are obtained at minimal cost, without sacrificing quality or fiscal responsibility.

— Effectively work with governmental agencies, political subdivisions and other organizations in order to further the interests of the county.

— Faithfully comply with all laws and regulations applicable to Morgan County, and impartially apply them to everyone.

It also includes provisions that county officials should not:

—Engage in outside interests that are not compatible with the impartial and objective performance of their duties.

— Improperly influence or attempt to influence other officials to act in their own benefits.

— Accept anything of value from any source which is offered to influence their actions as public officials.

The board also approved a revision to the Emergency Medical Response salary structure for full-time ambulance employees, changing the minimum wage to $8 an hour to meet the state of Colorado's minimum wage requirements.

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